In 2018, the Solomon Islands, in the South Pacific, hosted the Melanesian Arts & Cultural Festival, celebrating the country’s fortieth anniversary of independence. On neighboring island states, the struggle for freedom continues, as West Papua resists Indonesian occupation and the residents of New Caledonia still live under French rule. In all Melanesian countries, residents face the common challenge of climate change, as rising sea levels threaten to swallow both land and tradition. In this charged context, captivating performers are using their talents to celebrate local culture and draw international attention to their islands’ plight, with the hope of spurring international solidarity and prompting collective action against the perils of a warming world.
Director: Iara Lee
Editor: Dimo Petkov
WANTOKS – Dance of Resilience in Melanesia awards and honor mentions:
GUAM, Grand Jury Award, Guam International Film Festival, 2019
UNITED STATES / LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA, Award of Excellence: Documentary Short, The IndieFEST Film Awards, 2019
KENYA / NAIROBI, Official Selection, Slum Film Festival, 2019
SERBIA / BELGRADE, Official Selection, 10th International Green Culture “Green Fest”, 2019
NIGERIA / BENIN CITY, Official Selection, Benin City Film Festival, 2019